The Excessive Court docket has dominated that claims of compelled labour, fashionable slavery and exploitation introduced in opposition to Dyson will proceed to a full trial in April 2027.
In a judgment handed down immediately, following a case administration convention in December 2025, the courtroom confirmed that allegations introduced by 24 former migrant employees can be examined by way of the circumstances of six lead claimants. The trial will give attention to working and dwelling circumstances at Malaysian factories inside Dyson’s electronics provide chain and can decide whether or not Dyson corporations are legally accountable for the alleged abuses.
Any compensation and the claims of the remaining employees can be handled in a separate, follow-up listening to if legal responsibility is established.
The claimants, represented by regulation agency Leigh Day, allege that whereas employed by Malaysian suppliers ATA Industrial (M) Sdn Bhd and Jabco Filter System Sdn Bhd, they have been subjected to compelled labour practices and false imprisonment whereas producing parts for Dyson’s provide chain.
As a part of the ruling, the Excessive Court docket ordered Dyson to reveal a sequence of paperwork beforehand referenced in now-discontinued defamation proceedings introduced by Dyson in opposition to Channel 4 Information and ITN over reporting on alleged labour abuses. The paperwork to be disclosed embody inner assembly minutes between Dyson and ATA in 2021, audit experiences carried out between 2019 and 2021, correspondence from Dyson’s chief authorized officer, and data regarding requests for employees to work on relaxation days to extend manufacturing volumes.
Mr Justice Pepperall emphasised the significance of guaranteeing that the claimants, described as impoverished and weak migrant employees, are in a position to take part on an equal footing with Dyson, a well-resourced multinational group. He highlighted the seriousness of the alleged human rights violations and urged each side to progress the case with cooperation and realism.
The decide additionally famous the delay attributable to Dyson’s unsuccessful try and have the case heard in Malaysia reasonably than England and harassed the necessity for the litigation to maneuver ahead with out additional disruption.
Throughout the listening to, the courtroom was advised that Leigh Day has been contacted by lots of of different migrant employees with probably related claims in opposition to Dyson. As much as 100 extra circumstances could possibly be able to file this yr, though the decide mentioned any additional claims mustn’t intervene with the timetable for the present trial.
Over the approaching months, skilled and factual proof can be gathered and additional disclosure will happen, together with inner Dyson paperwork regarding its data of labour circumstances inside its provide chain.
Oliver Holland, worldwide associate at Leigh Day and lead lawyer for the claimants, mentioned the ruling considerably strengthened his purchasers’ place and bolstered entry to justice in England and Wales.
“The Excessive Court docket has recognised the necessity for equality of arms in a case of this nature,” he mentioned. “This judgment helps guarantee our purchasers, who’re among the many world’s poorest employees, can take part pretty in proceedings in opposition to a worldwide company. We’re dedicated to progressing the case effectively and attaining justice as swiftly as potential.”
The case can be carefully watched by companies, authorized practitioners and ESG specialists as scrutiny of provide chain practices and company accountability continues to accentuate.
